Wow, wow and more wow! This book totally rocks the house! Talk about some solid partial differential equations... this one really socks it to ya! I couldn't put it down. I wouldn't put it down. I couldn't believe that anyone would write a book as wickedly clever, funny, witty and engrossing as this.

I've read all of Feeney's works... and I mean ALL of them. This one is clearly the best... no question. No question at all. If you want to read some great finance... if you're really ready to enjoy the best there is... then you're ready to read Feeney.

Great ready for the read of your life. Get ready to see the world a different way. Get ready to go really, really deep into the financial corners of your mind. Travel to your limits and push past them to where you thought it was impossible to go. Learn about yourself, learn about the world, learn about what it takes to be a financial guru.

Feeney - the great mind of finance bringing us insights to share with the next generation. Bravo!

Perhaps the most interesting and compelling finance book I've read in decades. Feeney takes even the most complicated ideas and brings them down to levels that even I could understand. Very well written, insightful and full of telling comments on the markets from one of its true masters. I highly, highly reccomend this book to anyone even remotely interested in the world of finance. I, and all of my colleagues who have read the book, can hardly wait for the sequel... sure to be as fabulous as this version. Two Thumbs Up!

This book is useful for someone looking to either learn about or brush up on the financial derivatives markets

What great story!... I was taken places no one dare go. As a young person, I never had to deal with war and the faces of war. Like me, the readers will find themselves right in the middle of it war with all it's force, fear and gallantry. Mr. Pinn also reveals an Infantry mans view of histroy and troubled times. For those of you who may be wanting to know more about war, ... you must read this book. Mr. Pinn represents your husbands, your sons and all those who may be called to serve. As fearful as it was it also contained a lot of lighter moments. Funny stories and amazing encounters. A must read!

Once in a while a great man walks into our lives; a man whose very persona is exemplified in his very stare. One such man was Lionel Pinn. Master Sergeant Pinn served in not one, not two, not three, but four different combat areanas. WWII, Korea, Laos and Vietnam saw Mr. Pinn, or Choo-Choo as he was known to many, fight and overcome the enemy. In three different combat theaters Pinny was taken prisoner, and escaped each time. He met and knew Jacki Kennedy, drank whiskey with Ira Hayes-the native American Indian who was one of the infantrymen immortalized in the depiction of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, and worked security for Frank Sinatra. Lionel was half Micmac and half Osage Indian, and more importantly an American.

I was fortunate enough to know Lionel, and sat with him at his home on occassion listening to him talk about the weather and the "three old maids" building a house next to his. Never did he discuss his combat missions or time served in the military with me; never did I ask questions. I have known several war veterans, and knew better than to broach the subject--besides, I just enjoyed Lionel's company, and as he remarked in his book, "I don't discuss war with those that never fought. They don't understand."

Oftentimes, I remarked to my wife that I regretted not asking Lionel if I could take a tape recorder with me to interview him. Fortunately for us all a reporter had enough foresight to do that very thing. I recently finished the book published about this little known American icon, Hear the Bugles Calling (My Three Wars as a Combat Infantryman). Lionel was the recipient of three combat infantryman badges, and two silver stars abrazoned the metals on the blue ribbon. Lionel recently died of Leukemia in 1999, the result of being present in Nevada for the witnessing of four atomic bomb detonations.

His is a story for anyone interested in courage. I'm lucky to have called him friend.........

The story will take the readers on a journey they will not soon forget. Into the battles of three different wars and conflicts as told by a special kind of warrior. Lionel's experiences are breath taking, edge of your seat, and thrilling. Along with an insightful story the reader will be laughing out loud at some of the antics and events the First Sargent gets himself into. Seeing the real war through the eyes of a real soldier is a rare threat. Triple Combat Infantry Badges grace the cover and for those who know, that is a story by itself. I can not recommend this book enough. Frank Sikora's contirbution is well done and in touch with the man and his story. Fantastic story, fantastic book, fantastic man! Little Eagle

I know that my review title may seem dramatic, but I have personal knowledge of supplements endangering a loved one's life.
My sister-in-law's mother is extremely into natural supplements, BUT she would only read the gushing, wonderful benefits described by those who promote the supplements. She gave her 75 year-old husband a supplement, which in and of itself would be okay. BUT, the poor guy was on prescription medicine which adversely mixed with the simple supplement. He was admitted to hospital and was critical all due to the mix.

SO, IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE, ENSURE THAT YOU VERIFY THAT YOUR NATURAL SUPPLEMENT ARE NOT CONTRAINDICATED PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES.

This book is a LIFE-SAVER in that respect.

This is a much-needed and very usable reference for the health professional and educated lay person alike. While natural substances are generally very safe, it's important for both physician and patient to be aware that there are potentially serious effects from using certain herbals along with prescription drugs. As a Doctor of Naturopathy, I refer to this book often.

Admitting a patient to homecare...I have a list of prescribed Rx's BUT THE PT ALSO TAKES SEVERAL (OR MORE!) herbals which can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the prescribed meds. This book has already helped..now I have a clue as to why the Coumadin therapy either isn't working as it should or is acting too too powerfully. The Doc's I call are interested in the references as this is new ground for them as well. I keep it in my car to use when instructing pts about their medications.

In letters to his brother and aunt, Francis Adams Donaldson chronicled his daily experiences during three years in the infantry of the Army of the Potomac. Not intending that his words would find their way into publication, he used his letters home to express his hopes, ventilate his frustrations, and convey to his family some sense of the tedium, grandeur and horror he was experiencing. Presented almost as written, this collection of correspondence brings an honesty and immediacy not found in the often sanitized volumes of other Civil War memoirs. Donaldson was a very young man when he began his service as a volunteer in a Pennsylvania regiment. Enduring the intensity of combat, called upon to lead but not trained as a professional soldier, craving recognition and promotion, his often bitter criticisms of the abilities and personal qualities of his peers and superiors reflect his own inevitable stress and insecurity. There are other collections of such letters from Civil War combatants. What sets this book apart is J. Gregory Acken's remarkable editing and research. Almost every individual and place name mentioned by Donaldson, even if only in passing, is referenced by a footnote. Where available, photographs of the soldiers are provided. You won't be left wondering what happened to these men, whether they survived the wounds which result in their passing from the pages of the memoir, or the course of their careers as they leave the unit; their fate is there in the footnotes. Each chapter is headed by a brief section placing the subsequent letters in historical context. My only criticism of the book comes in these sections, which introduce some jarring redundancies by quoting passages later contained within the letters, themselves. The book comes most alive in the letters describing the battles of Gettysburg and Mills Run. Though it can be a long read at times, you will finish it with the feeling of having shared, in the words of the subtitle, the Civil War experience of Captain Francis Adams Donaldson.

After E.P.Alexander's Fighting for the Confederacy (edited by Gary Gallagher) this is the best Civil War officer's narrative in existence. Want a real treat? Read it. You Confederates will love it too.

This is an outstanding set of letters by a perceptive officer in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry. It certainly ranks in the top five of Army of the Potomac letter collections published in the last decade. Donaldson was opinionated, but also intent on description, not chat. He provides excellent narratives of most of the major campaigns, but more importantly he offers insights into ordeals and events often overlooked--everyday struggles lost to history. Gregory Acken has done an outstanding job of introducing, annotating, and editing the missives, offering the reader cues to the important themes that course through the correspondence. For the serious researcher of the Army of the Potomac, this book will become an oft-cited source. For the more casual student, these letters are a vivid, first-rate look at the experience of America's Civil War.

Francis Turretin (1623-1687) was a pastor and taught at the Academy of Geneva. This is the final volume of his magnificent and spirited defense of Reformed doctrine. This volume has indices to all 3 volumes and biographical information. It also includes the funeral message that Benedict Pictet preached at Turretin's funeral. In this volume Turretin covers: the Church, the Sacraments, and last things. To give you an idea of how thorough Turretin is, he takes 31 questions to discuss the sacraments. These books are excellent and highly recommended.

Francis Turretin (1623-1687) was a pastor, and taught at the Academy of Geneva. This is the second volume of his spirited and exhaustive defense of Reformed Theology. Samuel Alexander called Turretin "the best expounder of the doctrine of the Reformed Church" (high praise when you remember that John Calvin did a little exposition of Reformed dogmatics himself). This volume covers: the Law of God, the Covenant of Grace, The person and state of Christ, the mediatorial office of Christ, calling and faith, justification, and sanctification and good works. The section on God's law (which has a wonderful exposition of the 10 commandments) is worth the price of the book alone. This volume and its companions are a must in any serious theological library.

Francis Turretin (1623-1687) was a pastor and taught at the Academy of Geneva. An "elenctic" theology is one that trys to demonstrate the truth of a doctrine while refuting false doctrines. Volume 1 covers Theology, Scripture, God in unity and trinity, the decrees of God and predestination, creation, the providence of God, Angels, the state of man before the fall and the covenant of nature, Sin, and, finally, the free will of man in a state of sin. There is nothing else like these books in the realm of reformed dogmatics. The closest thing to them that I can think of is Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica except that Turretin upholds a sounder form of doctrine (Roman Catholics would heartily disagree with me there). Charles Hodge used Turretin in teaching Theology as did John Gerstner. Dr. James M. Boice hits the nail on the head when he says of Turretin's Institutes: "If ever a great theological work has been unjustly neglected it has been Francis Turretin's masterful volumes on the whole of Christian doctrine... I heartily commend [them] to preachers, theological students and lay persons everywhere." These are not easy reading but they are well worth your while.

This book is easily one of the most brilliant and satisfying methodological disquisitions I have ever read. Its systematic removal of the examining psychiatrist from a position of epistemological and social privilege is beautifully clear and logical (and -- which is rarer -- clearly and logically explained) and quite breathtaking in its philosophical (social and institutional) implications (for intellectual democracy and self-actualisation) within psychiatry.

I concur with Michael Nugent about the value of Leary's text on personality assessment. The book is a real tour de force, integrating many, many components of personal values and interpersonal style into a useful way of describing behavior. Pay particular attention to the personality types which Leary was the first to describe: the managerial-autocratic and the hypernormal. Although the book probably has been out of print for many years, any university library should have a copy.

Sam Braudt
Department of Psychiatry
Texas Tech University School of Medicine

Since I first read this text in 1973, I've continued to value its insights and periodically reread large sections. Unless you enjoy dissertation-like historical development, though, skip the first six chapters. The "good stuff" is the explanation of the interpersonal reflex (how one's personality "pulls" predictable behavior from others) and the eight major sectors of the model. Although written at a graduate school level, this book is worth the effort of slow reading and review. Michael D. Nugent, Ph.D

The best book by any artist I have read....utterly inspirational for anyone involved in creative endeavors. What's more, you don't have to agree with all of Bacon's forthright opinions. It probably helps to have seen some of his best work in color, as all the reproductions are monochrome. No matter...I have given away more cpoies of this book than I care to remember. Essential.

There are some writers who are able to capture the essence of an artist through the interview format (James Lord's sitting for Giocometti is one) and in this book David Sylvester plumbs the depths of Francis Bacon's psyche like no other writer to date. Not only is his short book brilliantly executed in drawing out the artistic temperament and the especial qualities that chewed every aspect of Bacon's rich brain, it also allows us to sit back and hear the very personal aspects of Bacon's life, aspects that are occult in his cryptic paintings. This is reportage at its zenith. The big difference here is that Sylvester writes so well that the atmosphere is palpable - as though we were the fly on the wall. Brilliant, just brilliant.

The most fascinating art related book I have yet read. Never had I expected Bacon to be so open and Frank about his own work. I've read and re-read it and will no doubt do so again. There were obviously very few people Bacon would consider worth speaking to in depth about his art and I'm grateful that David Sylvester was of sufficient calibre in Francis' mind otherwise there would be very little written material other than entertaining anecdotes and misinterpretive reviews etc. I'd like to know if the complete interviews have been published yet?

John White

If only everyone in the fashion world were like A.L.T.! This book is interesting, well-written, and a great summer read. Mr. Talley is truly a gentleman who has class, dignity, and style. For anyone who reads Vogue and knows about StyleFax, this is a must!

The Devil Wears Prada will get more attention than A.L.T. which is too bad becuase this is the real thing. ALT's memories of NYC, and the world of fashion are just too good to pass up. In this book you have a facinating person talking about his life and his love for two equally amazing women, Diana Vreeland and his grandmother. Buy this one. It's a keeper.

i loved this book because a.l.t. made you feel everything he was going through and cared about so deeply. i could actually feel as though i was right there with him on his family's porch or dancing at a disco with him. i'm the same age as a.l.t. and went to alot of the same places as he did growing up in the city, so it was really exciting to have that nostalgia surface again. mostly, i just loved what a beautiful and caring person he is; so unaffected. it's true, because i attended a class at nyu and a.l.t. was the guest speaker. he was so charming and easy to listen to and not a snobby moment; just pure joy.

I already play very well, and bought this for someone else, but I was amazed at how easily this book builds up thru the steps. I wish this book was available when I was learning!!!!!

One of the best guitar tuition books Ive come across. Simple and effective text with some wonderful and interesting music pieces - simply wonderful - and it looks good too.

the best tuition manual for electric guitar i have seen in age

F. Scott Fitzgerald scholar Matthew J. Bruccoli offers a discerning sample of Fitzgerald's letters that serve as an informal biography. Fitzgerald suffered many demons. Alcoholism and poor health were the obvious problems. From reading his letters, we learn that protecting his artistic integrity also weighed heavily on him. Money problems forced him to spend time writing lightweight but commercially viable stories for magazines. This took precious time away from his major work of writing serious novels. His afflicted wife, Zelda, was another dilemma. In 1930, Zelda had her first breakdown, and never recovered. Providing for her care and treatment added to his money woes. Although Fitzgerald enjoyed early success in 1920 with "This Side of Paradise," it was short-lived. By 1924, he wrote to Edmund Wilson, "I really worked hard as hell last winter--but it was all trash and it nearly broke my heart." There was critical success in 1925 with "The Great Gatsby," but it was a financial disappointment. Fitzgerald spent the next nine years writing, revising, and agonizing over "Tender Is the Night." Contrary to hope, that book failed to restore his reputation. The letters display deep introspection, opinions on other writers, comments of manners and morals, and daily concerns of money. There are also amusing and chatty letters to his daughter, Scottie. Fitzgerald's letters to Scribner's Maxwell Perkins and his literary agent, Harold Ober, are the most interesting, and reveal much of his concerns and ideas. Letters written to Zelda in the sanitarium are generally tender and loving, but occasionally they are cross and complaining. The book stops with a letter written to Scottie shortly before Fitzgerald's death in December 1940. Recommended reading for F. Scott Fitzgerald fans. ;-)

This is the sort of book that makes one long for the days prior to-email, when people actually wrote letters to one another and correspondence other than bills and junk mail filled one's mailbox. The book is a valuable supplement to Fitzgerald's many biographies; his letters reveal a remarkable clarity and self-awareness. My heart ached after reading some of them. A must read for all Fitzgerald historians.

I do recommend reading one of Fitzgerald's many biographies prior to reading his letters, as it is a fascinating exercise comparing Fitzgerald's interpretation/rationalization of an event with a third party's.

If you want to gain insight into the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald then seek no further. This amazing compilation of Fitzgerald's correspondences to family, friends, business associates and acquaintances portrays the man and the writer in a way no biographer could imagine. In his letters can be clearly seen Fitzgerald the literary genius, Fitzgerald the loving husband and father as well as Fitzgerald the sycophant and Fitzgerald the tortured and insecure neurotic.The genesis and the demise of one of the most fascinating men of his time eloquently presented in his own words.